Rubber apparel



y 1, 1944. T. J. HOWLAND 2,353,403

RUBBER APPAREL Filed March 12, 1942 ATTORNEYfi Patented July 11, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE RUBBER APPAREL Thomas ,J.QHowland,Long Branch, N. J2, assignor to UnitedStates Rubber .Clompany,"New York,

. Y., a corporation of New Jersey ApplicationMarch 12, 1942, Serial No. 434,371

8 Claims.

This invention relates to articles of :apparel of the v:type having a flexible rib :fnr sealing thecinterior hI-thevarticle to prevent seepage of a fiuid therein, and has particular reference to a novel article of apparel having a combination of ribs =ene pzf which is controlled the action of the other rib or ribs so that its "effectiveness in preventingjseepageiof-fluids:into the article is great- :ly increased. Themew articleisl of simple con- ;siructinn, is -rcomfortelble :to the wearer and "can .be manufactured atlow cost.

For illustrativeipunpzoses, the invention will be described .and illustrated in the form of a bath- .ing cap, although it will .be understood that it may take ether forms as Well.

Bathing caps as commonly made comprise a capy body having aon .the inside an encircling Iibwhich presses against the skin of the wearwar to prevent leakage of water into the cap under the'edge. The iencircling rib may take vari ons forms, and :in some caps it is designed to provide the greatest sealing #eltect when it is upzsetsor deflected laterally by its pressure against the skin. In my Patent No. 2,206,402, granted July .2, 1.940., iIhave disclosed a means for controlling the deflection of the encirclingrib automatically under the pressure of the skin, the defleeting means scompri'singan off-center edge on the rib which'is inaitially engaged by the skin to deflect the rib in-the direction in which the edge .is'nif-center. EBecamsemf this-controlled deflection of the nib, 'it automatically conforms itself to the contour of the wearers head, since the amount of its deflection is determined by the pressure on-itsiend portion which, in turn, depends on the fODIlllO'll-IOf the head. In other caps, the encircling rib mayibe :designedto provide the greatest sealing effect when it remains substantially straightan'd in caps of this form the rib should be controlled bystabilizing it in some manner to prevent it from upsetting under the pressure of One feature :Qf the present invention resides in the provision of :a novel means by which the position of theeencirclingrib underthe pressure of the against it may be controlled accurately without the use ofan elf-center edge on the rib. A bathing cap made in accordance with my invention compriscs -afiexible rib on the inside of the cap tbody extendinggenerally parallel to the margin of the-openingand a second rib on the outside of the cap body extending -.generally parallel to the first rib but offset laterally therefrom. I have found that with this construction, when the/cap is stretched on the head of the wearer, each of 113118 :ribs acts to force the other rib laterally away from it due to the tension applied to the edge portion of the cap and the resulting,pressure'loetween the inner rib and the head. Thus, the rib on the inside of the cap is initially .upset :in .a predetermined direction by the pressure of the skin against it, so that :by providing the rib with a free end portion of appropriate form, the desired sealing action is obtained. It will be apparent that the new cap .may be .made reversible, because when it is turned inside out, the rib on the inside, formerly on the outside, is deflected laterally by .the action of the Jotherrib under the tension in the edge portion of the cap.

In bathing capslhaving "encircling ribs of certain forms, it ,may be ,desirableto stabilize the rib under the pressure of the skin againstjitto prevent'upsetting of it'herib. In accordance with my invention, the encircling rib may be stabilized by employing on the outside of the cap body, in addition to the first outer rib, a second outer rib generally parallel thereto but on the opposite side vof the encircling rib. When the cap is stretched on the head, one of the outer ribs actsto defiectithe encirclingrib upwardly, while the other outer rib acts to ideflect theencircling rib downwardly. As a-result, the action onthe encircling rib of each of the outer ribs tends to counteract that of the other outer rib and cause the encircling rib to remain generally in its initial position without substantial deflection.

If desired, the inside of the cap body may be provided with two or moreribs extending in generally parallel spaced relation along the edge portion of the cap, and these ribs may be controlled'by one or more ribs extending generally parallel thereto on the outside .of the edge portion. By employing a single outer rib between the two inner ribs, the stretching of the cap on the head causes the inner ribs to be deflected away from each other so that they diverge under the pressure of the head against them. If it is desired to upset th inner ribs toward each other when the cap is applied to the head, a pair of outer ribs may be provided, one above and the other below the inner'ribs. In caps having a plurality of encircling ribs on the inside, one of these ribs may be-stabilized while the other is upset in a predetermined direction, by employing a pair of ribs on the outside of the cap body, one between the inner ribs and the other above or below the inner ribs.

The new bathing cap is of simple construction and maybe made at low cost, sincethe ribs may inner ribs; 'form' as the inner ribs, and all of the ribs may be molded n the cap body. By properly determining the relative positions of the inner and outer ribs, the action of the inner rib due to stretching of the edge portion of the cap may be accurately controlled, whereby the inner rib assumes the position in which it is designed to provide the desired sealing effect. When the cap is of the reversible type, each rib serves to determine the position of the sealing rib or ribs or acts itself as a sealing rib when the cap is reversed. For a better understanding of the inventio deflected away from each other.

head, and due to the resulting tension in .the edge portion and the pressure of the inner ribs I 4 and 15 against the head, the inner ribs are The pressure of the head against the inner ribs deflects the ribs apart until they reach a position of stability determined by their resistance to upsetting and the tension in the .edge portion, as shown in Fig. 3. In the final position of theinner ribs, the fins Ma and Wu, contact the skin'and form I recesses with the adjacent end portions of the reference may be had to the accompanying drawof .a bathing Fig. 2 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the ribs shown in Fig. 1; I

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 illustrating the action of the ribs when thecap is applied to the head; i

Figs-land 5 are views similar toFigs. 2.and 3, respectively, showing the ribs when the cap isreversed; Y

Fig. '6 is across sectional view of part. of a modified form of the cap, showing the ribs;

Fig. '7 is a View similar .to Fig. 6 illustrating the action of the ribs when the cap is applied to the head; s

Figs. 8 and 9 are viewssimilar to Figsii and '7, respectively, showing the position of the ribs when the cap is reversed; V.

Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of .part. of still another form of the .cap showing the ribs;

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 10 showing the action of the ribs when the cap is applied to the head 1 Fig. .12. is a cross-sectional view illustrating the form of the invention in which there is only one. rib on the inside of the cap. and one on the outside; and

Fig. 13 is a view similar to Fig. 12 showing the action of the ribs when thelcap is applied to the head.

The bathing cap, as shown, comprises an elastic cap body. [2 of any desired shape, which may belmade of rubber or other water-proof material having the desired elasticity. On. the inside of the cap body near the edge. I3 are a pair of encircling ribs M and I5. The ribs may be made of the same material as the cap body and are preferably of greater depth along the side portions of the cap than at the front and back, as

An enciris common in apparel of this, type.

cling rib 16 on the outside of the cap body extends generally parallel to the inner ribs l4 and I5'but is offset laterally therefrom so that it lies above the lower rib l5 and below the upper ribi M, the rib l6 being preferably equi-distant from the The outer rib may be of the same be madeintegral with the cap body, as by molding them on the body in the. same molding operation by which the body itself is formed.

The freeend portions of the inner ribs i4 and I5 may take any desired form, but, as shown, they are provided with longitudinal fins I40. and 150,, respectively, each of which is offset from the centerline 'ofthe rib on the side adjacent the other rib. The. outer rib l6 may be provided with a rounded, symmetrical end portion.

In applying the cap to .the head I! of the wearer, the portion adjacent the edge, I3 is stretched to enable .the cap to be drawn over the ribs. The pressure to which the inner ribs are subjected due to the tension in the cap tends to force the air from these recesses and create a suction therein, so that the ribs are more effective .to prevent seepage of water into the cap body under the edge l3. Also, the deflection of the inner ribs away from each other by the action of the outer rib and the pressure against a the head tends to expel air from the space be- 18. between the inner ribs so as to limit positively their deflection and insure proper contact of the fins Ma. and lfi'a'with the skin. The pressure between the head and the inner ribs upsets these ribs away from each other an amount dependent on the pressure along the ribs which, in turn, depends on the contour of the head. Accordingly, the ribs by their deflection automatically accommodate themselves to the shape of the head.

I have found that with the new construction,

theouter rib l6 acts to control the deflection of the inner ribs l4 and I5 so that the inner ribs are always deflected away from each other in the normal application of the cap to the head. The controlling action of the outer rib I6 is possibly due to the fact that it provides between the inner ribs a region of increased resistance to bending and longitudinal stretching, with the result that when the cap is stretched on the head the inner ribs I4 and I5 act to force the adjacent parts of the edge portion away from the head while the rib 16 causes the part of the cap intermediate the inner ribs to seek the head. Accordingly, the edge portion of the cap assumes the wave-like .form shown in Fig. 3, in which the surfaces of the cap body adjacent the inner ribs are tilted outwardly from the head, and since the inner ribs l4 and I5 tend to remain normal to the adjacent surfaces of the cap .body, the tilting of these surfaces causes the inner ribs to be deflected away from each other, the deflection of the ribs being accentuated by the pressure of the ribs against the head, as previously described.

If desired, the cap may be turned inside out, as shown in Fig. 4, so that the single rib l6 acts as a sealing means to prevent seepage of water into the cap body. When the cap is reversed in this manner and the edge portion stretched incident to applying the cap to the head, the outer ribs 14 and [5 act to stabilize the inner rib l6 and resist or prevent upsetting thereof by the pressure of the head against it. More par ticularly, the upper rib l4, due to the tension in the edge portion of the cap, acts to deflect the inner rib l6 downwardly, while the lower rib i5 acts .to deflect the inner rib upwardly, so that the action of each. of the outer ribs is countor-acted by the other and the inner .rib "is held firmlyin its normal position, as shown Fig. The end portion'of 'r-ib I'B is pressed against'the head, whereby an effective sealing action is obtained. F i

The bathing cap shown in :Figs. 6 to ;9,-incl-us'ive,

comprises an elastic cap body 241 havinga pair of encircling ribs 21 and "2-2 on the inside adjacent the edge. Onthe outside of the cap body are two similar ribs 23 and Y24 generally parallel to the inner ribs but stagger-ed with respect thereto. That the outer rib 22'! is disposed above the inner rib 2i and below the inner rib 22 andp1eferably substantiallyequi-distant therefrom, while the-outer r-ib 23 i-s disposed "above the i-nn'e rib '22 so that the latter is substantially erm ni-distant from thecuter ribs. f When-thecapbQdyQ O is applied to-the head or the wearer, the lower rib on the'outside of the body acts under thetension in the-edge I JGrl3i0l1 b deflect the inner ribs 2! and 22 away -from each other. However, the outer rib 2$ counteracts the eifect of the -outer rib 2d on theinncr 2-2,and, therezfiore, the latter is stabilized and assumes sub stantially its initial position -as shown in Fig. 7. The inner rib 2|, however, is deflected downward 137 by the action of the adjacent outer rib-a4. Accordingly, a double seal is provided along the edge portion of the cap'by the --downwardly deflected rib 2i and thestabil-ized rib 22. Dueto the deflection of the inner rib 2i awayfroni the inner rib 22, the pressure on these ribs resulting from the tension in the cap tends to expel air from the space between the inner ribs and create a suction in the space, which aids in resisting seepage of water into the interior of the cap. Since the suction effect is obtained without deflection of the inner rib 22, the pressure against the end portion of rib 22 is greater, so that this rib provide a more positive seal. If desired, the inner rib 2i may be provided on its free end portion with a fin (not shown) which is off-set from the centerline of'the rib on the side adjacent the upper rib 22, so that when the rib 2! is deflected the fin is forced into contact with the skin and forms a recess with the adjacent end portion of the rib, as described in connection with the cap shown in Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive. It will be observed that any water passing under the edge of the cap body will strike against the deflected lower rib 2i and act to force the rib upwardly and thereby increase the pressure between its end portion and the head of the wearer.

When the cap 2c is turned inside out or reversed, the ribs and 24 act to prevent seepage of water into the cap body. That is, when the cap is reversed and applied to the head H, the edge portion of the cap body is subjected to tension with the result that the rib 22, now on the outside, acts to force the skin-contacting ribs 23 and 24 away from each other. However, the outer rib 2i counter-acts the efiect of rib 22 on the inner rib 24, and, therefore, the latter is stabilized and held against any substantial deflection, as

shown in Fig. 9. The inner rib 23, which is deflected upwardly by rib 22, may be provided with a fin (not shown)v disposed in such a position that it is forced into contact with the skin when the rib is deflected and thereby forms with the rib a suction recess, as previously described. The upward deflection of the inner rib 23 tends to form a suction in the space between the inner ribs, so that a more effective seal is obtained.

The bathing cap shown in Figs. 10 and. 11 cornprises a cap body 26 having a pair of encircling ribs 2-2 and 230m the inside extending in generally parallel spacedrel ation adjacent the edge. Encircling'ribs 29 and 3a are disposed on the outside of the cap body, one above the inner rib 2'! and the-other below the ainner rib 28. With this construction, when the cap is applied'to the head and the edge portion is subjected to tension, the outer ribs act to force the inner ribs toward each other, as shown in Fig. 11. It will be apparen't that when the cap is reversed so that the ribs 28 and so engage the head, the ribs 21 and 28 act to force the skin-contaoting ribs away from each other. If desired, the ribs 21, 28,29 and 30 may be provided with fins Zia, 28a, i-9a and 35a, respectively, located the end portions in offcenter relation, 50 that when either set of ribs is disposed on the inside of the cap body the corresponding fins are forced into contact with the skin by deflection of the ribs, whereby a better sealing action is obtained.

Fig. l2-shows abat'hing cap 3 i having a single flexible ribs? on the inside of the-'cap and a singlerib 3.5 onitsoutside. The outside rib 33 extends generally parallel to the inside rib and is laterally oil-set therefrom. When such a cap is -applied to the head the inside rib is deflected downwardly' the outside rib is defieotedupwardly as shown in 13.

The bathing cap, beingrevers'i-ble, may be made of contrasting colors on opposite sides so that the wearer has the advantage of two di ereet decorative effects. 'Since-theribon each side of the cap alway coact with that on the other side to control its position, an effective seal is provided regardless of which side of the cap is se lected for the outside.

I claim:

1. An article of apparel compris ng a hollow bodyhaving an opening therein and an elastic edge portion adjacent the opening, a flexible rib on the inside of the elastic portion normally projecting substantially at right angles to the surface thereof and extending generally parallel to the margin of the opening, and a flexible rib on the outside of the elastic portion normally projecting substantially at right angles to the surface thereof and extending generally parallel to said first rib and offset laterally therefrom, one of said ribs acting to cause lateral deflection of the other rib away from it when the elastic portion is stretched on the wearer.

2. An article of apparel comprising a hollow body having an opening therein and an elastic edge portion adjacent the opening, an elastic rib on one side of the elastic portion extending gen-= erally parallel to the margin of the opening, and a pair of flexible ribs on the opposite side of the elastic portion extending generally parallel to the first rib, one of said last ribs being oiTset laterally from the first rib on one side thereof and the other of said last ribs being offset laterally from the first rib on the other side thereof.

3. An article of apparel comprising a hollow body having an opening therein and an elastic edge portion adjacent the opening, a flexible rib on the inside of the elastic portion normally projecting substantially at right angles to the surface thereof and extending generally parallel to the margin of the opening, a flexible rib on the out-- side of the elastic portion normally projecting substantially at right angles to the surface thereof and extending generally parallel to said first rib and offset laterally therefrom, one of said ribs acting to cause deflection of the other rib away from it when the elastic portion is stretched on the wearer, and awsealing edge disposed on the free end portion of the first rib on one side of the center line thereof in position to contact the skin of the wearer when the first rib is deflected.

4. A bathing cap comprising a hollow cap body having an elastic edge portion adjacent the opening, an elastic rib on the outside of the elastic edge portion extending generally parallel to the margin of the opening, and a pair of flexible ribs on the'inside of the elastic edge portion extending generally parallel to the first rib, one of said inner ribs being offset above the outer rib and the other of said inner ribs being offset below the outer rib, the outer rib acting to deflect the inner ribs away from each other to create a suction eifeet between the inner ribs when the elastic portion is stretched on the head.

5. An article of apparel comprising a hollow body having an opening therein and an elastic edge portion adjacent the opening, a pair of flexible ribs on the inside of the elastic portion extending generally parallel to the margin of the opening, and a pair of elastic ribs on the outside of the elastic portion extending generally parallel to said first ribs and staggered with respect there- 6. An article of apparel comprising a hollow body having an opening therein and an elastic edge portion adjacent the opening, a pair of flexible ribs on one side of the elastic portion extending generally parallel to the margin of the opening in spaced relation, and a pair of elastic ribs on the other side of the elastic portion extending generallyparallel to the first ribs in spaced relation 1 and offset laterally-,therefrom, one of said last ribs being disposed above the'first ribs and the other of said last ribs being disposed below 5 the first ribs.

'7. A reversible bathing cap comprising a hollow cap body having an elastic edge portion adjacent the opening, a pair of flexible ribs on the inside of the cap body extending generally par- 10 allel to the margin of the opening in spaced relation, and a pair of elastic ribs on the outside of the elastic portion extending generally parallel to the first ribs in spaced relation and offset laterally therefrom, one of the outer ribs being disposed 5 above the inner ribs and the other outer rib being disposed below the inner ribs, the outer ribs act ing to force the inner ribs toward each other when the elastic portion isrstretche d on the head.

8. An article of apparel comprising a hollow 20 body having an opening therein and an elastic 

